<p>LAKELAND | The sun wasn't exploding and it's not a alien invasion.</p><p>The large ring of light seen around the sun on Wednesday in Central Florida was an optical phenomenon called a sun halo, Bay News 9 meteorologist Mike Clay said. </p><p>“These are high dense clouds made up of ice crystals so when the sun goes through them it creates the optical illusion,” Clay said. “It can happen with the moon, too."</p><p>Clay said the sun halo is similar to a rainbow. The inner circle looks darker because your eyes are playing tricks on you, he said.</p>